20 Neb. 580 | Neb. | 1886
This was an action on two promissory notes executed by defendant in error to the Williams Harvester Company,
The answer admits the execution of the notes, and alleges that they were executed as and for a part of the purchase price of a Williams harvester and binder combined, and which said machine was sold to defendant upon a warranty in writing, signed by the Williams Harvester Company. This warranty is set out in the answer, and is as follows:
“ This machine is warranted to be of good material and well made, and if a combined machine and properly operated with two horses and a driver, will cut from ten to fifteen acres of grass or grain per day, and will do it as well as any other combined machine. If single, and properly operated with two horses and a driver, will cut as many acres of grass per day, and any kind of grass, as well as any single mower of equal capacity. If a harvester, and properly operated with two horses and a driver, and two binders, will cut from ten to twelve acres of grain per day, as well as any other harvester of the same capacity. If a harvester and binder, and properly operated, it will draw as light, cut and bind as much grain, and do it as well as any other harvester and binder of equal capacity.
“ The Williams Haevestee Co.,
“ Cedar Rapids, Iowa.”
This warranty is all printed, including the signature. It is attached to a blank order for a machine. Between the two, and below the place designed for the signature of the purchaser, is the following:
“ (Remove this warranty and give it to the purchaser:)
“ ..................read this warranty, which we give with each machine sold.
“.........................not valid unless countersigned by ........agent.”
. There are no other blanks for signatures or otherwise, in connection with the warranty.
It is alleged that the harvester and binder failed in all respects to perform as warranted, that it was not made of good material, and that the consideration of the notes had failed. Another allegation is that “plaintiff purchased said note in bad faith, and not in the ordinary course of business, and after the maturity of said notes, and well knew the defenses the defendant had to the same.” The reply consisted of a general denial. There was a jury trial, which resulted in a verdict and judgment in favor of defendant. Plaintiff alleges error.
The first question to which our attention should be given is the alleged error in the ruling of the trial court in the admission of the warranty referred to, as evidence. The answer alleges that the machine was sold to defendant on the warranty, and defendant testified that it was delivered to him about the time of the sale, and before the execution of the notes, and that at the time he gave the notes he was asked by the person to whom they were given, if he did not have the warranty, and on producing it he was directed to keep it, that it was sufficient. So far as his testimony goes, although given in broken English, and in some re
It is insisted that the paper had no legal force as a warranty because of the partial memorandum, “.............not valid unless conntersigned by.........agent.” This memorandum is very imperfect and may admit of some doubt as to just what is meant by it. But this much is evident, that if that instrument was delivered "to defendant, as and for a warranty of the machine purchased by him, as he testified it was, and afterwards re-affirmed as such when he called for a warranty, as he testifies, and that the notes were given with such reliance on his part, and of which the agent had knowledge, the Harvester Company was as firmly bound by the warranty as if had been countersigned by its agent in full accordance with the alleged requirements of the memorandum. Or, stated differently, if the paper was delivered with the machine, or in connection with the contract of sale so as to become a part thereof, and was intended as and received for a warranty according to its terms, then being so received, with the knowledge of the Harvester Company, it would, as between the parties to the contract, to all intents and purposes be as valid as though fully filled up and signed by the Harvester Company, and the company or any one claiming under it with notice, would be estopped to deny its binding force. Therefore the question as to whether it was so givén and received, was one of fact for the jury to determine. • It will not do to
It is insisted that if there was sufficient proof of a warranty, still there was not sufficient proof of a breach. It is shown by the abstract that defendant testified in substance that the harvester would not work; it would not bind, particularly so when the grain was damp in the morning or evening from dew. That it wore out the knotters or binders; that the machine was not constructed of good material, and that it did not have sufficient motion. That the draft was heavy, and that it required more than three horses; that it did not cut well, and that it would not bind well. In addition to this testimony Lewis Helmer testified that the machine would sometimes go for ten and sometimes twenty rods and not bind a sheaf; that the grain was bound very poorly and was delivered upon the ground in a worse condition than if no effort had been made to bind it. Charles Hermanee also testified that he saw the machine in the year 1883 in the field, and an effort was being made to use it. That it would not work at all. That it would neither bind nor elevate the grain; it would ■clog up so that they would have to stop every few feet.
This testimony, if believed by the jury, would be sufficient to warrant them in finding a breach of the warranty, if one had been given. These questions of fact were for the jury to determine.
It is said that defendant, having failed to rescind the contract as soon as- the alleged defects were discovered, is now deprived of the defense which he seeks to make. That he not only failed to rescind but waived his right to do so. This contention is based, in part at least, upon the
The Harvester Company waived the right to have the machine returned the next day after its delivery, if not satisfactory, if such right ever existed.
It is claimed that plaintiff is a bona fide purchaser of the notes in suit, for value before maturity, and that it is therefore protected in its purchase and entitled to judgment on that ground. On the trial it was admitted of record “ that the assistant cashier of plaintiff, The First National Bank of Cedar Eapids, Iowa, was the treasurer of the Williams Harvester Company, and that the president of the one company was the president of the other at the time of the purchase of the notes by plaintiff.”
It is contended that the jury ignored certain instructions given them on plaintiff’s request. These instructions submitted questions of fact upon which the jury found against plaintiff and which have been sufficiently noticed in the foregoing.
The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.